Gray wolves have officially been removed from Michigan's endangered and threatened species list.

The reclassification of wolves from a threatened species to a protected nongame species at the state level comes in anticipation of the federal government's plan to remove wolves from the federal endangered species list on May 4, 2009.

"Wolves will remain under management of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service until May 4," said Department of Natural Resources wolf program coordinator Brian Roell. "At that time, management authority will transfer to the state, assuming the process is not held up by litigation from a third party."

The Humane Society of the United States, joined by four additional parties, has already filed a Notice of Intent to Sue in federal court.

Under state management authority, the DNR will have the ability to use lethal control methods, when appropriate, when managing wolves under provisions in the state's wolf management plan (posted online at www.michigan.gov/dnr). Livestock and pet owners also will be able to kill wolves in the act of attacking domestic animals on their property as a result of legislation passed last year. More information detailing legal methods for managing situations involving wolves, including lethal control, will be available upon official federal delisting.

"Wolves are still a protected species, whether under federal or state management," Roell said. "Any poaching incidents should be reported immediately to the DNR's Report All Poaching hotline at 800-292-7800."

For more information, contact Roell at (906) 228-6561 or e-mail roellb@michigan.gov.